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그림 2Receiving a deportation or exit order from the Korean immigration office is one of the most stressful situations a foreigner in Korea can face. It can disrupt your livelihood, separate you from your family, and leave a lasting mark on your immigration record.

In this article, we explain what deportation and exit orders are, when they are issued, how the process works, and — most importantly — what you can do to appeal. We also address practical questions about what happens to your bank accounts, pension, and whether you can return to Korea in the future.

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When a marriage ends in Korea, one of the most important questions is how the couple’s property will be divided. This guide explains who has the right to a property division, what assets are included, how Korean courts decide each spouse’s share, the deadline to file, and the tax consequences — based on Article 839-2 of the Korean Civil Act and Supreme Court precedent. (more…)

When a marriage ends in Korea, one of the most important questions is how the couple’s property will be divided. This guide explains who has the right to a property division, what assets are included, how Korean courts decide each spouse’s share, the deadline to file, and the tax consequences — based on Article 839-2 of the Korean Civil Act and Supreme Court precedent. (more…)

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Korean Inheritance tax can be a complex issue, particularly for those living abroad. An important ruling by the Korean Supreme Court (Supreme Court, 1994. 11. 11. 94nu5359 Decision) sheds light on whether inheritors residing outside South Korea must pay inheritance tax in Korea when they just inherited foreign assets from a non-resident deceased. This ruling remains the governing precedent on this issue and continues to be applied by Korean courts and tax authorities today. This post aims to clarify the key points of the ruling and its implications for foreign heirs.

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[Updated: 2026]

In a Korean divorce, the spouse who caused the marriage to break down may have to pay consolation money. This is money paid for the emotional pain they caused. It is separate from property division, and many foreigners divorcing in Korea have never heard of it. This guide explains what consolation money is, who can claim it, how much Korean courts usually award, and how fault affects the result.

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Losing a family member is difficult enough. When that family member leaves behind assets in Korea — and you are unfamiliar with Korean law, whether you live abroad or are a foreigner residing in Korea — the situation quickly becomes legally complex.

Korean co-heirs may contact you promptly, urging you to sign documents, making representations about what the estate contains, or proposing how the inheritance should be divided. Without a clear understanding of your rights under Korean law, you are at a serious disadvantage.

Korean inheritance law, Part V of the Civil Act, is detailed and, for foreign heirs, often unfamiliar. Your share of the estate, your right to challenge a will, your ability to protect against an unfair distribution — all of these depend on rules that may be very different from those in your home country. And in many cross-border cases, it is not even obvious from the outset whether Korean law applies at all.

In this article, our Korean inheritance lawyer explains the core principles of Korean inheritance law as they apply to foreign heirs — from who qualifies as an heir and how the estate is divided, to the protections available to you and the steps you can take if your rights are being overlooked.

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Cross-border inheritance involving Korean assets—whether the decedent or the heir is a non-resident—often leads to unexpected Korean inheritance tax obligations.  Without proper planning, foreign heirs may face administrative delays, tax audits, and significant penalties.

As Korean attorneys who regularly advise foreign families on cross-border estate matters, we have seen many cases where a lack of understanding of Korea’s inheritance tax rules resulted in avoidable risks and financial losses.

In this article, we explain who is liable to pay Korean inheritance tax, which assets are subject to tax, how the tax is calculated, and how to plan for payment—including options such as in-kind contribution or installment plans.  Whether you are a foreign heir, a family representative, or a professional advisor assisting with Korean estate matters, this guide will help you navigate Korea’s inheritance tax system with confidence and clarity.

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Severance pay in Korea is a statutory right — not a benefit. Under the Guarantee of Workers’ Retirement Benefits Act (GWRBA), every employee who has worked in Korea for at least one year is entitled to severance pay upon leaving their job, regardless of the reason for departure. This right applies equally to Korean nationals and foreign workers, and even to employees whose contracts are governed by foreign law.

Written by a Korean-licensed labor lawyer with over 20 years of experience, this guide explains who is eligible, how severance pay is calculated, and what to do if your employer refuses to pay — whether you are working for a Korean company or a foreign multinational operating in Korea, or even working abroad for Korean employers.

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If you are a foreigner trying to divorce in Korea — or divorce a spouse who lives in Korea — this guide answers the questions the Korea divorce lawyers of our team hear most often.

Written by a Korean-licensed attorney with over 20 years of experience handling international divorce cases, this guide covers everything you need to know: whether Korean courts have jurisdiction over your case, which country’s law applies, how long the process takes, and what happens to your visa after divorce. Whether you are married to a Korean citizen or another foreigner, and whether you live in Korea or abroad, read on to find out how to proceed.

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By Chung & Partners, a Korean Law Firm

If you are doing business in Korea—or simply living here—what appears to be a “local” legal issue can quickly develop into a cross-border dispute. Cargo may be released without proper documents. A Korean counterparty may demand payment under a bond you believed was limited in scope. An employment structure that seemed administratively convenient may later become a statutory wage dispute.

Below are several relatively recent decisions of the Korean Supreme Court that are particularly relevant to foreign companies, overseas investors, and expatriates in Korea. Each case is briefly summarized, followed by a practical comment on what it means for foreign parties—because in real disputes, that practical implication is what ultimately matters.

Disclaimer: This post is for general information, not legal advice. Facts matter a lot in Korean litigation. (more…)

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South Korea is one of the sought-after spots for medical tourism. In particular, Korean plastic surgery clinics are internationally renowned for their advanced techniques and relatively affordable costs. Every year, thousands of foreign patients visit Korea for cosmetic procedures.

However, like all medical interventions, plastic surgery carries risks. Some patients suffer from medical accidents or unsatisfactory results, leading to physical, emotional, and financial harm.

This article outlines what legal rights foreign patients have when they experience plastic surgery malpractice in Korea or unexpected outcomes after undergoing treatment in Korea—and how they can pursue compensation based on Korean law and actual court precedents.

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